Policy revisions on Crane agenda

The Crane school board will discuss policies regarding the administering of medication to students, as well as students' right to freely express religious beliefs Tuesday night.

This will be the first reading of both agenda items among several issues, said Cindy Didway, Crane Elementary School District superintendent. No action will be taken, but the board will answer questions and provide clarification. A second reading will occur at next month's meeting.

Tuesday night's meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in the board room of the Crane Education Center, 4250 W. 16th St., at 5:15 p.m.

In 2008 the state Legislature adopted A.R.S. 15-344.01 to address the question of how to proceed with students at school needing medication to manage diabetes. This revision to policy JLCD on medicine and JICEC on religions expression was recommended by the Arizona School Boards Association so Crane could add it to its policy, Didway noted.

While Crane recognizes it is sometimes necessary for students to take medicine during school hours, there must first be a written order from a physician stating the name of the medicine, dosage and times it is to be given. Written permission from parents is needed for the school or student to administer medicine. The medicine must arrive at the school in its prescription container or if an over-the-counter medicine, the original container.

Some exceptions will apply. Students with anaphylaxis - severe allergic reaction - may carry and self-administer emergency medication including auto-injectable epinephrine. Also for those with breathing maladies, a handheld inhaler may be carried for self-administration. In both cases, the student's name must appear on the prescription label.

For any medicine not requiring a prescription, written permission from parents must be provided  for administration of specific over-the-counter remedies. All over-the-counter medicine must be in original  packaging with dosages and contents clearly marked.

Any medicine given to a student by a school employee must be documented in a daily log and stored in a locked cabinet.

Also, Policy JICEC will now comply with the recently passed A.R.S. 15-10 to adequately cover the Student's Religious Liberties Act. This provides a platform for specific student rights and responsibilities .

Crane officials said the district does not discriminate against any religious viewpoint or expression. Any student assignment expressing a religious viewpoint will be evaluated based on ordinary standards and relevance to the course curriculum and not penalized on the basis of religious content.

In addition, students will be permitted time to engage in religious activity before, during and after school as time allows. And they will be able to wear clothing and accessories displaying religious messages or symbols. But permitting the above does not mean any student is required to participate in any religious activity.

While upholding freedom of religious expression, Crane does retain its right to maintain discipline in a viewpoint neutral manner, according to its policies. However, Crane can enforce regulations concerning student speech  but will not violate constitutional rights. And they said they will enforce policies that ban student clothing and accessories that convey any affiliation with a criminal street gang.